Gasparo da Salò

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Gasparo da Salò (1542-1609) is the name given to Gasparo di Bertolotti, one of the earliest violin makers of which historical records exist. His native village was Lake Garda, Italy. He founded the school of Brescia, which came into existence roughly contemporaneously with the opening of the workshop of Andrea Amati in Cremona.

It is debatable whether Gasparo da Salò or Gasparo Duiffopruggar was the first to produce the violin in its basically modern form. However, the violins he put out are now celebrated, despite the fact that they found a small demand at the time - he spent most of his time making more economically practical instruments like double basses and viols.

[edit] References

• Farga, Franz, Violins & Violinists. Trans. Egon Larson with Bruno Raikin. New York: Frederick A. Prager, 1969.
• Andrews, Robert, Gasparo Bertolotti da Salo. Berkley 1953.